Plants by region and tidal zone

Northwest Florida

The low marsh tidal zone occurs along the seaward edge of the salt marsh. It is flooded daily and usually exposed during low tide. Representative low marsh plants in Northwest Florida.

Plants in the low marsh:

Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)
Saltwort (Batis maritima)
Gulf cordgrass (Spartina spartinae)
Glasswort (Sarcocornia ambigua)

The mid marsh tidal zone lies above the mean high water line between low marsh and high marsh. Plants that live here can tolerate flooding, although they prefer drier conditions. Representative mid marsh plants in Northwest Florida.

Plants just above the mean high water line:

Saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens)
Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans)
Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)
Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum)
Sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum or maritimum)
Saltmarsh aster (Symphyotrichum tenuifolium)
Seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus)

Plants higher in the mid marsh:

Saltbush or groundsel (Baccharis angustifolia or halimifolia)
Railroad vine (Ipomoea spp.)
Marsh elder (Iva frutescens)
Blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Sand cordgrass (Spartina bakeri)
Sea ox-eye daisy (Borrichia frutescens)
Muhle grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Coneflower (Rudbeckia spp.)
Black needlerush (Juncus roemarianus)
Red bay (Persea borbonia)
Gulf spikerush (Eleocharis cellulosa)
Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)
Sweet acacia (Vachellia farnesiana)

The high marsh tidal zone is generally flooded only during above-average high tides. Plants that live here do not get waterlogged or suffer severe salt stress. Representative high marsh plants in Northwest Florida.

Plants in the high marsh:

Fakanatchee grass (Trypsacum dactyloides)
False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa)
Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola)
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Herb of grace (Bacopa monnieri)
Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)
Snowberry (Chiococca alba)
Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria)
Oak (Quercus spp.)
Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana)
Christmasberry (Lycium carolinianum)
Rosemallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)

Northeast Florida

The low marsh tidal zone occurs along the seaward edge of the salt marsh. It is flooded daily and usually exposed during low tide. Representative low marsh plants in Northeast Florida.

Plants in the low marsh:

Smooth Cord Grass (Spartina alterniflora)
Saltwort (Batis maritima)
Big cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)
Glasswort (Sarcocornia ambigua)

The mid marsh tidal zone lies above the mean high water line between low marsh and high marsh. Plants that live here can tolerate flooding, although they prefer drier conditions. Representative mid marsh plants in Northeast Florida.

Plants just above the mean high water line:

Saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens)
Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans)
Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum)
Seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus)
Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)
Sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum or maritimum)
Saltmarsh aster (Symphyotrichum tenuifolium)

Plants higher in the mid marsh:

Saltbush or groundsel (Baccharis angustifolia or halimifolia)
Railroad vine (Ipomoea spp.)
Marsh elder (Iva frutescens)
Green buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus)-Volusia County only
East coast dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
Blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)
Sand cordgrass (Spartina bakeri)
Red bay (Persea borbonia)
Sea ox-eye daisy (Borrichia frutescens)
Muhle grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera) –Volusia County only
Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Gulf spikerush (Eleocharis cellulosa)
Black needlerush (Juncus roemarianus)
Sweet acacia (Vachellia farnesiana) –Volusia County only

The high marsh tidal zone is generally flooded only during above-average high tides. Plants that live here do not get waterlogged or suffer severe salt stress. Representative high marsh plants in Northeast Florida.

Plants in the high marsh:

Fakahatchee grass (Trypsacum dactyloides)
False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa)
Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola)
Firebush (Hamelia patens) –Volusia County only
Myrsine (Myrsine cubana)-Volusia County only
Florida privet (Forestiera segregata)
Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)
Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)-Volusia County only
Herb of grace (Bacopa monnieri)
Snowberry (Chiococca alba)
Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana)
Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba)-Volusia County only
Yaupon holly (llex vomitoria)
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Christmasberry (Lycium carolinianum)

Central Florida

The low marsh tidal zone occurs along the seaward edge of the salt marsh. It is flooded daily and usually exposed during low tide. Representative low marsh plants in Central Florida.

Plants in the low marsh:

Annual Glasswort (Salicornia bigelovii)
Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans)
Perennial Glasswort (Sarcocornia ambigua)
Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
Saltwort (Batis maritima)
Sea Purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum)
Smooth Cord Grass (Spartina alterniflora)

The mid marsh tidal zone lies above the mean high water line between low marsh and high marsh. Plants that live here can tolerate flooding, although they prefer drier conditions. Representative mid marsh plants in Central Florida.

Plants in the mid marsh:

Dog Fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium)
Dollarweed (Hydrcotyle umbellate)
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)
Salt Meadow Cord Grass (Spartina patens)
Seashore Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum)

The high marsh tidal zone is generally flooded only during above-average high tides. Plants that live here do not get waterlogged or suffer severe salt stress. Representative high marsh plants in Central Florida.

Plants in the high marsh:

Bahia Grass (Paspalum notatum)
Beach Sunflower (Hellanthus debilis)
Bermuda Grass (Cyndon dactylon)
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black Medick (Medicago lupulina)
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Coastal Sandspur (Cenchrus spinifex)
Common Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus)
Eastern Gama Grass (Tripsacum dactyloides)
Firebush (Hamelia patens)
Hairawn muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Little Bur Clover (Medicago minima)
Necklace Pod (Sophora tomenosa var. truncate)
Ox-eye daisy (Borrichia frutescens)
Pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium)
Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)
Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
Salt Grass (Distichlis spicata)
Sandcord grass (Spartina bakeri)
Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)
Spanish Needle (Bidens alba)
Starry Rosinweed (Silphium asteriscus)
Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa)
Sweet White Clover (Melilotus albus)
Twin Flower (Dyschoriste oblongifolia)
Virginia Plaintain (Plantago virginica)
White Indigo Berry (Randia aculeate)

Southwest Florida

The low marsh tidal zone occurs along the seaward edge of the salt marsh. It is flooded daily and usually exposed during low tide. Representative low marsh plants in Southwest Florida .

Plants in the low marsh:

Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)
Saltwort (Batis maritima)
Gulf cordgrass (Spartina spartinae)
Glasswort (Sarcocornia ambigua)

The mid marsh tidal zone lies above the mean high water line between low marsh and high marsh. Plants that live here can tolerate flooding, although they prefer drier conditions. Representative mid marsh plants in Southwest Florida.

Plants just above the mean high water line:

Saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens)
Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans)
Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum)
Sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum or maritimum)
Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)
Seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus)
White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa)

Plants higher in the mid marsh:

Saltbush or groundsel (Baccharis angustifolia or halimifolia)
Railroad vine (Ipomoea spp.)
Sweet acacia (Vachellia farnesiana)
Green buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus)
Marsh elder (Iva frutescens)
Silver buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus)
West coast dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis subspecies vestitus)
Blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)
Sand cordgrass (Spartina bakeri)
Wild lantana (Lantana involucrata)
Sea ox-eye daisy (Borrichia frutescens)
Muhle grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera)
Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Gulf spikerush (Eleocharis cellulosa)
Black needlerush (Juncus roemarianus)
Pondapple (Annona glabra)
Red bay (Persea borbonia)

The high marsh tidal zone is generally flooded only during above-average high tides. Plants that live here do not get waterlogged or suffer severe salt stress. Representative high marsh plants in Southwest Florida.

Plants in the high marsh:

Fakahatchee grass (Trypsacum dactyloides)
False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa)
Oak (Quercus spp.)
Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola)
Firebush (Hamelia patens)
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Myrsine (Myrsine cubana)
Gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba)
Florida privet (Forestiera segregata)
Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)
Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)
Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
White indigoberry (Randia aculeata)
Herb of grace (Bacopa monnieri)
Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana)
Necklacepod (Sophora tomentosa var. truncata)
Snowberry (Chiococca alba)
Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

Southeast Florida

The low marsh tidal zone occurs along the seaward edge of the salt marsh. It is flooded daily and usually exposed during low tide. Representative low marsh plants in Southeast Florida.

Plants in the low marsh:

Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)

The mid marsh tidal zone lies above the mean high water line between low marsh and high marsh. Plants that live here can tolerate flooding, although they prefer drier conditions. Representative mid marsh plants in Southeast Florida.

Plants just above the mean high water line:

Saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens)
Saltwort (Batis maritima)
Glasswort (Sarcocornia ambigua)
Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans)
Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)
Seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus)
Sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum or maritimum)
Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum)
White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa)

Plants higher in the mid marsh:

Saltbush or groundsel (Baccharis angustifolia or halimifolia)
Railroad vine (Ipomoea spp.)
Sweet acacia (Vachellia farnesiana)
Green buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus)
Marsh elder (Iva frutescens)
Silver buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus)
East coast dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
Blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Wild lantana (Lantana involucrata)
Sand cordgrass (Spartina bakeri)
Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)
Sea ox-eye daisy (Borrichia frutescens)
Muhle grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera)
Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Gulf spikerush (Eleocharis cellulosa)
Black needlerush (Juncus roemarianus)
Pondapple (Annona glabra)
Red bay (Persea borbonia)

The high marsh tidal zone is generally flooded only during above-average high tides. Plants that live here do not get waterlogged or suffer severe salt stress. Representative high marsh plants in Southeast Florida.

Plants in the high marsh:

Fakahatchee grass (Trypsacum dactyloides)
False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa)
Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola)
Firebush (Hamelia patens)
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Myrsine (Myrsine cubana)
Gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba)
Florida privet (Forestiera segregata)
Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)
Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)
White indigoberry (Randia aculeata)
Herb of grace (Bacopa monnieri)
Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana)
Necklacepod (Sophora tomentosa var. truncata)
Snowberry (Chiococca alba)
Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Beach elder (Iva imbricata)

South Florida

The low marsh tidal zone occurs along the seaward edge of the salt marsh. It is flooded daily and usually exposed during low tide. Representative low marsh plants in South Florida.

Plants in the low marsh:

Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora)
Saltwort (Batis maritima)
Gulf cordgrass (Spartina spartinae)
Glasswort (Sarcocornia ambigua)

The mid marsh tidal zone lies above the mean high water line between low marsh and high marsh. Plants that live here can tolerate flooding, although they prefer drier conditions. Representative mid marsh plants in South Florida.

Plants just above the mean high water line:

Saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens)
Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans)
Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum)
Sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum or maritimum)
Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)
Seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus)
White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa)

Plants higher in the mid marsh:

Saltbush or groundsel (Baccharis angustifolia or halimifolia)
Railroad vine (Ipomoea spp.)
Sweet acacia (Vachellia farnesiana)
Green buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus)
Marsh elder (Iva frutescens)
Silver buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus)
West coast dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis subspecies vestitus)
Blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto)
Sand cordgrass (Spartina bakeri)
Wild lantana (Lantana involucrata)
Sea ox-eye daisy (Borrichia frutescens)
Muhle grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera)
Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Gulf spikerush (Eleocharis cellulosa)
Black needlerush (Juncus roemarianus)
Pondapple (Annona glabra)
Red bay (Persea borbonia)

The high marsh tidal zone is generally flooded only during above-average high tides. Plants that live here do not get waterlogged or suffer severe salt stress. Representative high marsh plants in South Florida.

Plants in the high marsh:

Fakahatchee grass (Trypsacum dactyloides)
False indigo (Amorpha fruticosa)
Oak (Quercus spp.)
Red cedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola)
Firebush (Hamelia patens)
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Myrsine (Myrsine cubana)
Gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba)
Florida privet (Forestiera segregata)
Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens)
Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)
Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
White indigoberry (Randia aculeata)
Herb of grace (Bacopa monnieri)
Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana)
Necklacepod (Sophora tomentosa var. truncata)
Snowberry (Chiococca alba)
Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)